LITTLETON, CO – A math teacher in a small middle school has become an instant hero for stopping a potential killing spree!

LITTLETON, CO – A math teacher in a small middle school has become an instant hero for stopping a potential killing spree!

Bruco Strongeagle Eastwood, 32, is the man suspected for the shooting of two students at Deer Creek Middle School. He was arrested shortly after the incident on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court today where he is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the sheriff’s office said. He is accused of shooting the two students as classes were letting out at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The hero of the day was math teacher David Benke. A 6-foot-5 former college basketball player who is also the school’s track coach, tackled the suspected gunman before he could fire at anyone else.

“The shooter was trying to rack another round,” Benke told KMGH station. “I knew he couldn’t get another round in before I got to him, so I grabbed him.”

A parent close to the situation also told the station that the gunmen mumbled repeatedly, “I’m fighting for freedom, I’m fighting for freedom,” as he was being subdued.

The two students, a boy and a girl, were taken to Littleton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office said.

Benke’s heroics put a stop to what could have been another deadly school tragedy in the Denver suburb. Deer Creek Middle School is about three miles from Columbine High School, site of the infamous tragedy that took the lives of 12 students and a teacher before the gunmen committed suicide.

It should be noted that David Benke was a finalist for 1996’s Coloroda Teacher of the Year. This is certainly something that will go on his resume whether he wants it or not. Many individuals can go back to their families and live their lives thanks to the bravery and courage shown by David Benke.